Universal Periodic Review of the United States: Sub-group on Civil Rights and Racial and Ethnic Discrimination Issues

By Andrew Park, Adam P. RomeroJuly 2014

Based on State Department testimony by Williams Institute scholars, social science research and legal analysis suggest the United States is failing to comply with international human rights standards in relation to LGBT people. While the U.S. has seen significant progress in recent years, a majority of states fail to provide legal protections for LGBT people and families, despite evidence of persistent and pervasive discrimination, economic vulnerability, and violence and sexual assault. Every four years, countries undergoes a Universal Periodic Review that examines whether it has abided by commitments under international human rights treaties.

*Testimony delivered as part of the Civil Society Consultation, on July 8, 2014, at the U.S. Department of State.